73 BC

65 BC

Opponents of Julius Caesar, worried that he is staking a claim for supreme power, attempt to curb the number of gladiators owned by any one individual. Despite this, Caesar’s games go ahead, with over 640 gladiators fighting to the death.

6

29 BC

The first purpose-built stone amphitheatre is constructed by General Titus Statilius Taurus in Rome. Taurus also paid for the inaugural games.

7

AD 37

The emperor Caligula entertains the crowds by having criminals thrown to carnivorous wild animals in the arena.